MINOT – Though the Minot Rural Fire Department placed a burn restriction in Ward County two weeks ago that is set to be in place until November, burn bans will fluctuate, and after large amounts of rain this past weekend in the region, the county is currently in a low fire danger zone as of Wednesday.
The North Dakota Fire index, showing a map with colors distinguishing fire dangers in the state, can be found here, which is updated every day at 7 a.m. A guide can be found here that shows what can be burned depending on what color your county is.
“We follow the North Dakota Fire Index guide every year pretty much,” said Rex Weltikol, Minot Rural Fire Department chief.
No burning is banned in Ward County until the county is yellow colored on the map, or the fire danger is “high.” If the fire danger is high, open burning is banned. If the fire danger is very high or more, recreational fire and fireworks are also banned.
Weltikol said the index can change a lot each day, as Monday was low due to the rain, and Tuesday was moderate due to the sun coming out and drying the grass.
“The grasses are starting to take on moisture because they were dormant for so long because of the snow, so this is a critical time for fire in the grass season,” said Weltikol. “We work with the National Weather Service and the North Dakota Forest Service.”
